Car door lock



Dec. 22, 1942. WEBB v 2,306,250

CAR Doha LOCK Filed June :5, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 e/ :4 42 a5 50 I 47 /NVE/VTUE DQ/V/f 1. W555 Dec. 22, 1942. D. L. WEBB CAR noon LOCK Filed June 3, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 A/NVE/VTOBW DQN/EL L W555 Patented Dec. 22, 1942 UNlTED STATES i ATENT DFFECE 17 Claims.

This invention relates to car door locks and more particularly to locks for sliding car doors.

It is an object of this invention to provide locks for sliding car doors adapted to be secured adjacent to the rear edge thereof and to cooperate with the car walls to prevent opening movement of the doors.

A further object is to provide locks for sliding car doors adapted to be secured adjacent to the rear edge thereof and embodying locking elements accessible from the outside of the doors and movable to locking relationship with the door frames and to unlocking position by simple rotary motion.

A further object is to provide locks of the character described having means for automatically absorbing slack created by movement of the door in closing direction after the door is locked.

A further object is to provide locks of the character described embodying cams and covers for the locks wherein the cams cooperate with the locking elements to take up slack created by movement of the doors in closing direction after the doors are locked and the covers limit movement of the cams to insure cooperative relationship between the cams and the locking elements.

A further object is to provide locks of the character described having means for automatically absorbing slack created by movement of the door in closing direction after the doors are locked,

the said means being capable of maintaining the locking elements in retracted position.

A further object is to provide locks of the character described having means for automatically absorbing slack created by movement of the doors in closing direction after the doors are locked and preventing the covers from closing fully when the locking elements are retracted.

A further object is to provide locks of the character described having novel seal supporting means permitting the use of straight seals.

Other objects of the invention will become clear as the description thereof proceeds.

In the drawings forming part of this specification:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary elevation of a sliding car door with a lock embodying the instant invention applied thereto, a part of the cover of the lock being broken away to more clearly show the lock mechanism Fig. 2 is a fragmentary elevation showing the mode of application of a straight door seal.

Fig. 3'is a horizontal section taken on line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the position of the look when the door is unlocked.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

A preferred embodiment of the instant invention is illustrated applied to a door slidably mounted upon a car wall [0, a portion of which adjacent to the door opening ll formed in the wall is illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings. The car wall embodies in part outer metallic sheathing l2 secured to the outer face of a flange is of rear door post M. An angle member 45 is secured to the .fiange l3 and carries a leg [6 extending outwardly from the door post. To the leg [6 there is secured a spark strip H as by means of rivets [8.

The door l9 to which a lock embodying the instant invention is secured comprise a metallic panel 20 formed with a plurality of spaced horizontal corrugations 2| merging at their ends into vertical corrugations one of which is illustrated at 22. The vertical corrugation terminates adjacent to the rear edge of the panel so as to provide a plane marginal portion 23 to which is secured a bridging plate 24 extending across the vertical corrugation and fastened to the panel 20 on the opposite side of the corrugation as by means of rivets 25. The marginal portion 23 of the metallic panel carries a sealing strip 26 fastened thereto as by means of rivets 21 and a reinforcing angle member 28. The sealing strip 26 cooperates with the spark strip H to exclude sparks, moisture and the like from entering the car.

The lock of the instant invention is preferably in the form of a unitary structure which is fastened to the door l9 adjacent to the rear edge thereof. The lock embodies a base plate 29 secured to the door l9 as by means of rivets 30.

The base plate is shaped to conform to the horizontal and vertical corrugations 2| and 22 upon which it is positioned as more clearly illustrated in Figs. 3 and 5 of the drawings. A wall 3| on the base plate extends inwardly. A wall 32 projects forwardly from the inner portion of the wall 3|. An upper horizontal wall 33 extends from the walls 3| and 32. The walls 3|, 32 and 33 cooperate with an inwardly extending vertical wall 34 which is parallel to the wall 3| to provide a pocket 35 for the purpose hereinafter set forth. The horizontal wall 33 is widened to provide an car 36 and a similar ear 3'! extends inwardlyfrom the base plate substantially in line with the upper portion of the inwardly extending vertical wall 34.

A look body 38 is disposed between the upper and lower ears and is rotatably secured in position by means of a pin 39 fastened in the ears. A locking bolt 46 projects from the lock body 38 and an actuating member 4| projects oppositely from the lock body 38. The actuating member 4| carries a lug 42.

The actuating member 4| is provided additionally with a pair of depending ears 43 and 44 between which a cam 45 is rotatably supported for a purpose hereinafter explained.

The base plate is provided with an outwardly extending wall 46 extending around the periphery of the plate. The wall 46 carries a forwardly extending ear 41 disposed in spaced relationship to the base plate. A cam 48 is swingably mounted upon a pin 49 extending between the base plate and the ear 41.- A lug 50 extends outwardly from the cam 48.

A seal lug is provided having a base 52 secured adjacent to the rear lower corner of the base plate as by means of rivet 53. The seal lug 5| extends downwardly below the base plate 29 through an aperture 54 provided in the wall 46. The lower end of the seal lug 5| is turned rearwardly as indicated at 55.

A member 56 resting upon the wall 46 is slidably secured thereto by means of rivets 51 and 58. The rivet 51 extends through an elongated slot 59 in the slidable member. The forward end of the slidabe member is bifurcated to provide prongs 60 and 6| between which the rivet 58 extends. The lower face of the member 56 is provided with an upwardly. extending recess 62 adapted to receive a tooth 63 extending upwardly from the wall 46.

The slidable member 56 carries a seal lug 64 which extends downwardly below the base plate 29 through an elongated slot 65 formed in the wall 46. The outer end of the seal lug 64 is turned forwardly as indicated at 66.

The lock mechanism is adapted to be protected by means of a cover 61 hinged at its upper end upon the base plate 29 as-indicated at 68. The cover 61 is provided with a wall 69 extending entirely around the periphery of the cover and adapted to embrace the wall 46 of the base plate. The cover 61 is offset outwardly as indicated at 10. Above the. offset the cover is provided with an inwardly extending lug 1|. The lower portion of the wall 69 of the cover is slotted as in-- dicated at 12 and 13 in order to straddle the seal lugs 5| and 64 when the cover is in closed position.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 5 of the v drawings the lock is illustrated in its unlocked position. In this position the locking bolt 40 is retracted within one of the horizontal corrugations 2| and for this purpose the metallic panel 26 and the backing plate 24 are suitably coped. In the retracted position of the locking bolt the actuating member 4|, the ears 43 and 44 and the cam 45 are received within the pocket and the lug 42 extending from the actuating member lies below and supports the cam 48 in its raised position. In this position of the cam and locking bolt, it is impossible to lower the cover 61 fully to permit engagement of a seal with the seal lugs 5| and 64. This is obtained by the engagement of the lug 1| and the cam 48 as more clearly appears from Fig. 6 of the drawings. It is therefore impossible for anyone accidentally to close the cover and seal it while the door is unlocked.

In order to lock the door the lock body 38 is rotated by means of the actuating member 4| so that the locking bolt is brought into engagement with the outwardly extending flange I6 of the angle member |5. Engagement between the locking bolt 46 and the flange I6 is maintained by means of the cam 48 which engages the actuating member 4|. Upon such engagement the cover 61 can be fully closed and the seal fastened to the seal lugs 5| and 64.

While the cam 48 engages the actuating member 4|, it is apparent that the cam is constantly biased downwardly. Through it a force is constantly exerted upon the actuating member 4| tending to rotate the lock body 38 and maintain engagement between the locking bolt 46 and the flange I6. The indicated position of the lock parts when the door is locked may be secured before the door is fully closed. When this occurs, it will be evident that the door cannot move in opening direction by reason of the engagement between the locking bolt and the flange l6. Movement of the door in closing direction is, however, possible and when this occurs the cam 48 will automatically be lowered under the action of gravity, thereby rotating the lock body and again establishing engagement between the looking bolt 40 and the flange l6. In locking position the cam 48 cannot become disengaged from the actuating member 4| since the upward movement of the cam is limited by the engagement between the lug 59 provided thereon and the offset 10 formed in the cover 61.

The lock permits the use of a straight seal which is adapted to be positioned in inclined relationship tothe ground so that anyone standing on the ground can readily read the numbers impressed upon the seal. In order to apply a seal to the lock the cam is swung from its vertical position so that the sliding member 56 may be raised to disengage the tooth 63 from the recess 62 and then slid toward the right as more clearly shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. This movement of the sliding member 56 brings the seal lugs 5| and 64 closer together so that a straight seal 14 can be easily applied. The seal 14 is provided with apertures 15 and 16 through which the oppositely turned ends and 66 of the seal lugs SI and 64 are adapted to project. When the seal 14 is thus fastened to the seal lug the member 56 is slid toward the left until the tooth 63 is again seated in the recess 62 of the member. At this time the seal 14 is straight and the cam 45 hangs vertically above the sliding member 56 so as to prevent disengagement of the tooth 63 from the recess 62.

The cover 61 is provided with a finger grip 11 by means of which the cover may be raised and lowered. The finger grip is formed with an aperture 18 so that no obstacle is provided in reading the numbers on the seal from the ground. It will be observed from Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings that the seal 14 extends above the finger grip 11 so that it will be impossible for an unauthorized person to raise the cover and unlock the door without breaking the seal.

While the lock embodying the instant invention has been shown and described in connection with a corrugated door, it is to be understood that it is not limited in use to such doors but is applicable as well to doors which are not corrugated and to ((lioors corrugated differently from the illustrated oor.

It will be apparent that numerous changes and modifications in the details of the invention will on said plate for rotation about a vertical axis, a

locking bolt on said lock body, said bolt projecting inwardly of said 'plate in locking position, an actuating member on said lock body accessible from the outside of said plate, and take-up means mounted on said base plate and engaging said actuating member in the locking position of said bolt, said take-up means being biased downwardly and exerting a force upon said actuating member tending to rotate said lock body.

2. A locking device for sliding car doors comprising a base plate adapted to be secured adjacent to the rear edge thereof, a lock body mounted on said plate for rotation about a vertical axis, a locking bolton said lock body, said bolt projecting inwardly of said plate in looking position, an actuating member on said lock body accessible from the outside of said plate, and a vertically swingable cam on said plate engaging said actuating member in the locking position of said bolt, said cam being biased downwardly and exerting a force upon said actuating member tending to rotate said lock body.

3. A locking device for sliding car doors com prising a base plate adapted to be secured adjacent to the rear edge thereof, a lock body mounted on said plate for rotation about a vertical axis, a locking bolt on said lock body, said bolt projecting inwardly of said plate in locking position, an actuating member on said lock body accessible from the outside of said plate anda vertically swingab-le cam on said plate engaging said actuating member in the locking position of said bolt, said cam being swingable in a plane parallel to said plate and being biased downwardly and exerting a force upon said actuating member tending to rotate said lock body.

4. A locking device for sliding car doors comprising a base plate adapted to be secured adjacent to the rear edge thereof, a lock body mounted on said plate for rotation about a vertical axis, a

locking bolt on said lock body, said bolt projecting inwardly of said plate in looking position, an actuating member on said lock body accessible from the outside of said plate, and take-up means on said plate engageable with said actuating member in the locking position of said bolt for the purpose set forth, said actuating member supporting said take-up mean when said locking bolt is retracted.

5. A locking device for sliding car doors comprising a base plate adapted to be secured adjacent to the rear edge thereof, a lock body mounted on said plate for rotation about a vertical axis, a locking bolt on said lock body, said bolt projecting inwardly of said plate in locking position, an actuating member on said look body accessible from the outside of said plate, and take-up means on said plate engageable with said actuating member in the locking position of said bolt for the purpose set forth, said actuating member supporting said take-up means when said locking bolt is retracted, said means automatically dropping into take-up engagement with said actuating member when said bolt is projected to locking position.

6. A locking device for sliding car doors comprising a base plate adapted to be secured ad acent to the rear edge thereof, a lock body mounted on said plate for rotation about a vertical axis, a locking bolt on said lock body, said bolt projecting inwardly of said plate in looking position, an actuating member on said lock body accessible from the outside of said plate, take-up means on said plate engaging said actuating member in the looking position of said bolt, said take-up means being biased downwardly and exerting a force upon said actuating member tending to rotate said lock body, and means adapted to engage said take-up means to prevent release thereof from said actuating member in the locking position of said device.

'7. A locking device for sliding car doors comprising a base plate adapted to be secured adjacent to the rear edge thereof, a lock body mounted on said plate for rotation about a vertical axis, a locking bolt on said lock body, said bolt projecting inwardly of said .plate in lock-ing position, an actuating member on said lock body accessible from the outside of said plate, take-up means engaging said actuating member in the locking position of said bolt, said take-up means being biased downwardly and exerting a force upon said actuating member tending to rotate said lock body, means securing said take-up means upon said plate, and additional means for supporting said take-up means when said locking bolt is retracted.

8. A locking device for sliding car doors comprising a base plate adapted to be secured adjacent to the rear edge thereof, a rotatable lock body on said plate, a locking bolt on said lock body, said bolt projecting inwardly of said plate in locking position, an actuating member on said lock body accessible from'the outside of said plate, means engageable with said actuating member to maintain said bolt in looking position, means securing said first mentioned means upon said plate, a member for supporting said first mentioned means when said locking bolt is retracted, a cover plate on said base plate adapted to cover said elements, and means on said cover plate engageable with said first mentioned means when supported by said supporting member to prevent closing of said cover plate.

9. -A locking device for sliding car doors comprising a base plate adapted to be secured adjacent to the rear edge thereof, a lock body mounted on said plate for rotation about a vertical axis, a locking bolt on said lock body, said bolt projecting inwardly of said plate in locking position, an actuating member on said lock body accessible from the outside of said plate, take-up means on said a plate engageable with said actuating member in the locking position of said bolt for the purpose set forth, a cover plate on said base plate adapted to cover said elements, and means on said cover plate engageable with said take-up means to prevent release thereof from said actuating member.

10. A locking device for sliding car doors comprising a base plate adapted to be secured adjacent to the rear edge thereof, a lock body mounted on said plate for rotation about a vertical axis, a locking bolt on said lock body, said bolt projecting inwardly of said plate in looking position, an actuating member on said lock body accessible from the outside of said plate, take-up means on said plate engageable with said actuating member in the locking position of said bolt for the purpose set forth, means for supporting said take-up means when said bolt is retracted, a cover plate on said base plate adapted to cover said elements, and a member on said cover plate engageable with said take-up means when supported by said supporting means prevent closing of said cover prising a base plate adapted to be secured adja cent to the rear edge thereof, a lock body mounted on said plate for rotation about a vertical axis, a locking bolt on said lock body, said bolt projecting inwardly of said plate in locking position, an actuating member on said lock body accessible from the outside of said plate, take-up means on said plate engageable with said actuating member in the locking position of said bolt for the purpose set forth, said actuating member supporting said take-up means when said locking bolt is retracted, a cover plate on said base plate adapted to cover said elements, and a member on said cover plate engageable with said take-up means when supported by said actuating member to prevent closing of said cover plate.

12. A locking device for sliding car doors comprising a base plate adapted to be secured adjacent to the rear edge thereof, a rotatable lock body on said plate, a locking bolt on said lock body, said bolt projecting inwardly of said plate in looking position, an actuating member on said lock body accessible from the outside of said plate, means on said plate engageable with said actuating member to maintain said bolt in looking position, a cover plate on said base plate adapted to cover said elements, a finger grip on said cover plate, relatively movable seal receiving lugs on said base plate, and a straight seal fastened to said lugs, said seal extending across said finger grip.

13. A locking device for sliding car doors comprising a base plate adapted to be secured adjacent to the rear edge thereof, a rotatable lock body on said plate, a locking bolt on said lock body, said bolt projecting inwardly of said plate in locking position, an actuating member on said lock body accessible from the outside of said plate, means on said plate engageable with said actuating member to maintain said bolt in locking position, a cover plate on said base plate adapted to cover said elements, an apertured finger grip on said cover plate, relatively movable spaced lugs on said base plate and a straight inclined seal fastened to said lugs, said seal extending across said finger grip and being visible through the aperture therein from the ground.

14. In a locking device for sliding car doors comprising, in combination, relatively slidable seal lugs, said lugs being relatively slidable toward each other to permit attachment of a seal thereto, said lugs being relatively slidable away from each other to straighten the seal, means for limiting relative sliding of said lugs away from each other and releasable means for limiting relative sliding of said lugs toward each other.

15. In alocking device for sliding car doors comprising, in combination, a fixed seal lug, a. movable seal lug, said latter lug being movable toward said fixed lug to permit attachment ofa seal to said lugs, said movable lug being movable away from said fixed lug to straighten the seal, means forlimiting movement of said movable lug away fromsaid fixed lug and releasable means for limiting movement of said movable lug toward said fixed lug, said latter means automatically assuming limiting position when the seal is straightened.

16. In a railway car having a wall provided with a door opening and a door slidably mounted upon said wall, a vertically rotatable lock body secured to said door adjacent .to the rear edge thereof, a locking bolt on said lock body, an actuating member on said lock body accessible-from the outside of said door, saidlock body being rotatable by said actuating member to project said bolt inwardly beyond the inner face of said door for engagement with said wall and take-up means on said door engaging said actuating member when said bolt is projected, said take-up means being biased downwardly and exerting a force upon said actuating member to rotate said lock body and reestablish engagement of said bolt with said wall when said bolt is released from said wall by the movement of said door in closing direction.

17. A locking device for sliding car doors comprising a base plate adapted to be secured adjacent to the rear edge thereof, locking means mounted on said base plate, a cover plate on said base plate for covering said locking means, a

finger grip on said cover plate, relatively movable seal receiving lugs on said base plate, and a straight seal fastened to said lugs, said seal extending across said finger grip.

DANIEL L. WEBB. 

